tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68244378708859530732024-03-13T22:41:55.403-07:00James P. Mercurio Story Analysis Services- NEWS, UPDATES AND CURRENT DEALS -Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-12611612533701392232016-12-20T22:21:00.000-08:002016-12-31T10:00:48.814-08:002016 Barter Deals and Discounts<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Happy Holidays!<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
Save 20% on Professional Analysis or Snapshot Service or 10% on coaching or Mentoring. Mentoring clients also get a free copy of my 10-hour DVD set <em>Complete Screenwriting: From A to Z to A-list</em>. Sign up this month and use the <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html">services</a> anytime in the new year.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">UPDATE: Get in touch with me before January 2 and you can extend the discount for a week.</span></strong><br />
<br />
Here are some reasons to take advantage of this time-sensitive offer:<br />
<ul>
<li>If you sign up this month, you may be able to take a deduction on this year’s taxes.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li>You can save money now AND later. When my book comes out next year, I will be raising my personal consulting rates and offering services for beginners through a couple of my associates. However, my current clients will have my current prices fixed for them for at least six months after any changes to my prices.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li>If you want to change the life of a write in your life, purchase a gift certificate for my Coaching or Mentoring services. Don't compare Mentoring to notes. Instead compare it to a semester at film school or a yearlong certificate program. With Mentoring and either my Complete Screenwriting DVD set or a seat in an up and coming class, writers receive up to 100 hours of close attention with more than half-of-it being one-on-one.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If you want to give loved ones or family members a little hint about your Holiday Wish-List, send them here. Let them know if you're interested in the DVD Set or Story Analysis Services. We can set up a gift certificate. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>REGIFTING CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE</strong></span></div>
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I like being creative in my dealmaking… especially this time of year when it might allow you or someone you care about to get feedback that could really impact a script or career. PayPal invoices allow you to pay for your services with any credit or debit card. We can also work out payment plan. And of course…<br />
<br />
My yearly barter needs list that can be all or part of a deal:<br />
<o:p></o:p>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>LOW END<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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Gift cards for Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Zingermann's (And
Canters, Katz’s, Juniors and Jerrys, I guess, too), Lowes/Home Depot (300
max...let's not create too much more work), Chipotle, Kohls, Apple Store (could
turn to middle end), Verizon, Mortons, Ruth’s Chris, PetSmart.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>MIDDLE END<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
Gift card for Guitar Center. Frequent Flyer Miles, used Mac Laptop (mostly
for Web and Word) for my assistant, Web Design which also includes things like
SEO, marketing, etc.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>HIGH END<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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Flight vouchers, time shares, divorce/family attorney services in New York
for family member, used car on East Coast for lifelong friend in need. Places
to stay while visiting Paris or Italy. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Save $100 on DVD set until January 10</strong></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"> Use Discount code <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>2016</strong><span style="color: black;"><strong> </strong>and save $100 on the 6-disc set, <a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.com/cart/products/Jim_s_Multi_DVD_Set_Pre_order-28-2.html"><em>Complete Screenwriting</em></a>.</span></span></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dpkEbG_dSDM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dpkEbG_dSDM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">THE TRAILER</span></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">"Complete Screenwriting is more information-dense than anything ever
recorded. It's so head-and-shoulders above what anyone else is teaching
that It'll take a while for it to sink into most people's heads. That's
actually my favorite thing about what you teach. It takes re-reading or
re-watching a few times for such big concepts to integrate into your
screenwriting consciousness. It's like learning algebra for the first
time." - Devin M</span></blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="mailto:jim@jamespmercurio.com">Email me</a> to make a deal or ask any questions!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;">.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-32359684870547255892016-11-17T15:29:00.003-08:002016-11-17T21:16:21.436-08:00OUTRAGE ON THE PAGE<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Network.
Dr. Strangelove. Do the Right Thing. Thelma and Louise. Taxi Driver. Birth of a
Nation (2016). Roger and Me. Umberto D. Apocalypse Now. Writers, beware of
Facebook becoming self-medication for outrage. Channel it.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I posted the above quotation on my personal
Facebook page about a week before the election. I listed films which
were inspiring in how they were able to express a sense of outrage within a mostly
conventional approach. It didn’t surprise me that the above meme popped up after
the election that paid homage to a film on the list,<i> Dr. Strangelove</i>. Here is
an expansion on my thoughts on how to deal with the current times in your art.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are a storyteller, you have a moral
obligation to strip away falsity in your stories to create something authentic
and true. Cinema is such a powerful medium that audience need to see
themselves, parts of themselves—their truths—in the world and characters
reflecting back to them from the screen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Audiences are actively seeking some authenticity on
the screen. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even when it’s
there in the most surprising or implicit way, it can transform them in a
magical way.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s
a powerful experience that can teach people how to be, remind them of who they
are, and make them feel connected—not so alone in the world. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Those
bigger-than-life images affirm their lives, give credence to their existence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back in the day, the filmmakers of the Italian
Neorealism movement reacted to their collective trauma, loss, and disillusionment
during and after World War II. They couldn’t bear the artifice and
superficiality of Hollywood movies, their own white telephone films (the symbol
of the complacent status quo bourgeoisie) and contrived melodramas. They lost
their patience and turned the cameras to the suffering right in front of them. They
wanted to capture something closer to the unglamorous, unvarnished reality, as
a way to connect directly to common people and their suffering.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, if you look closely at the films of that
time of De Sica, Rossellini, Visconti, their styles differed vastly. We can all
learn something about that. Ultimately, one of the most passionate film movements,
Neorealism, wasn’t about style or form. It was about humanity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the early 1960s, Federico Fellini put the moment
in film history in a larger context:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Neorealism is not about what you show, but how you
show it. It’s simply a way of looking at the world without preconceptions or
prejudices. Some people are still convinced that neorealism should only be used
to show a particular type of reality – social reality to be exact. But then it
becomes propaganda.”</span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Creating
an objective slice-of-life reality that mimics the minutiae of our day-to-day grin</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
is not the only path to capture some truthful essence of our lives. It’s about
honesty. It’s about your reality. It’s about authenticity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;">Your personal voice might reveal itself
in ways that these films do…</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As outrage – See above.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How we dream </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> – W</span><i>ild Strawberries,
Fantasia, Spellbound</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How we nightmare – <i>Night of the Hunter,
Rosemary’s Baby, Blue Velvet</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As magical fountains of hope and optimism –
<i>Amelie, Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As adult fairytales that allow us the only
chance to work out elements of our irrational side <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– <i>After Hours, Birdman, Edward Scissorhands, Pan’s
Labyrinth</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As reminders that we are
capable of uniting the most disparate, contradictory and illogical ideas,
feelings and impulses – <i>Persona, Mulholland Drive, Adaptation, The Orphanage,
The Arrival</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;">What’s
broken about our society is also broken on the screen in mainstream films. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;">Consider even the most systemic
constructs of unfairness—in forms of prejudice and inequality. The dominant
ideology translates these to symptomatic and specific representations on the
screen that become codified rules themselves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%;">You can’t address
every flaw in narrative cinema and society. However, the ones that prevent you
from telling your story, you can attack on the page.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%;">Here is an eclectic group of films that benefited from defying a status quo assumption or two: <i>Mi Vida Loca, Carol, Dog Day Afternoon, Secretary, Hedwig's Angry Inch, Fruitvale Station.</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;">This
is not an intellectual process. Maybe not even political. But it’s definitely
personal. To write in your voice, e</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;">radicate the assumptions and
expectations that oversimplify, misdirect or obfuscate your ability to </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 105%;">reveal
yourself and your world in all of its nuanced complexity and humanity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Allow people to see themselves on the screen. It
could be a look into the struggles of a marginalized group. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It could be a reminder that it's okay not
to be perfect:</span> an ambiguous ending, a chubby protagonist, a
character’s embarrassing flaw. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ironically, </span></span>yo<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ur perfect script will honor the imperfect at the
core of being human. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Writing in
your personal voice isn’t egotistical or solipsistic. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s
not selfish to tell personal and idiosyncratic stories. In fact, writing in
your personal voice is </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">perhaps
the most selfless duty you should perform as an artist. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The best way to show viewer t<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">heir t<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">rut<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">h is to reveal some o<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">f yours.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Th<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">e most personal story you tell wi<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">ll also be the most universal.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-9398182104019192972012-12-12T23:34:00.001-08:002012-12-12T23:47:30.342-08:00LOCK IN 2012 PRICES ON COACHING + GIFT IDEAS<span style="color: maroon;"></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Several
new benefits for my coaching and mentoring clients will far outweigh
the upcoming 2013 price increase. I have been spending and will continue to spend 5-10
additional hours on each project to help not only the script, but the
writer's craft, to reach its full potential. After
seeing every mentoring client that attended the last Champion Lab have a
similar epiphany about screenwriting craft, I am including a free seat in a 3- to
5-day class for all new clients. These 25-40 hours in the small class exponentially accelerate writers' growth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coaching and mentoring clients will also receive benefits that include access
to loaner copies of my DVD set, voluntary homework and exercises, free
online courses and up to 12 months of access to exclusive content from
me including videos, craft articles and outtakes from the DVD set.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If
you have been considering a big step to improve your screenwriting
career, don't compare Mentoring to notes. Instead compare it to a
semester at film school or a yearlong certificate program. With
Mentoring and a the lab, you receive up to 100 hours of close attention
with more than half-of-it being one-on-one.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i>"My
brain grew three sizes in the Champion Lab. Jim is a film savant who
analyzes a script from multiple vantage points (writer, director, coach)
which results in an avalanche of insight. I'm now coaching with him and
his other-worldly abilities are making a huge difference in my work." -
L.H. </i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://jamespmercurio.com/services.html" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">COACHING OR MENTORING</span></a></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sign up and here is what you get:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20-35
hours (double that for mentoring) of feedback on your script:
notes, discussions, emails, calls, work-shopping scenes, etc.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">A free seat in the $600 East Coast Champion Lab, the upcoming Online Scene Writing Class and other classes.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Six or twelve months of access to exclusive content including videos, craft articles and outtakes from the DVD set starting in January.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">$100 discount on my new multi-DVD set. (Mentoring clients have option of borrowing a loaner copy) </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Copies of Killer Endings and/or T-Word: Theme.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Remember, you can always test the waters with the $200 Sn<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">apshot Evaluation and if you upgrade to Coaching or Mentoring, you will receive credit for the entire fee.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 30px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><b>Seeing a movie - or better yet, your own script - through Jim's eyes is like playing a round of golf with Arnold Palmer." </b></i><i><b>- John Dummer</b></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><b style="text-align: center;">LOCK IN 2012 PRICES FOR YOURSELF </b></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><b style="text-align: center;">OR AS A GIFT</b></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There
are a few ways Coaching can be within your budget. You can save money
with a deposit, a payment plan or by taking advantage of a couple of the
gift ideas below.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Make a down payment of 40% of the <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://jamespmercurio.com/services.html" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">mentoring or coaching service</span></a></span>
by the end of the month and you will be guaranteed the current price on that
service for the next 18 months -- a full year-and-a-half. The deposit is
nonrefundable but can be used as a credit to any story analysis
services at their regular price. When you are ready to use the service, pay the balance and we are ready to go.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Verdana; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 30px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><b>"Jim is the definitive teacher. Always empathic, specific and insightful with his notes, never failing to inspire. If you work with Jim you will become the best writer you can be. Guaranteed." Geoff Parks actor/writer</b></i></span><br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 30px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And check out some other options below. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">GIFT OPTIONS </span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">MENTORING AND COACHIN</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">G PAYMENT PLAN</span></span></a></span></span></b></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Make the first of two or three equal pay</span><span style="font-size: small;">ments by December 17 and take until end of February to make the final payment. Let me know it's a gift and we will send the DVD </span><span style="font-size: small;">Killer Endings and a card-stock announcement that describes the service and all of the new perks above. Mentoring service will include my T-Word Theme DVD also.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span> </div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">PROFESSIONAL ANALYSIS PAYMENT PLAN</span></a></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make
a 50% deposit by December 17 and pay the balance by end of January. If
it's a gift, we will send the DVD Killer endings and a card-stock
certificate that describes the service and these perks: </span></span></div>
<ul>
<li align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Three months of access to exclusive content including videos, craft articles and outtakes from the DVD set, starting in January.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free spot in Online Scene Writing Class (see above).</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$75 discount on my new multi-DVD set.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b><b><a href="http://www.a-listscreenwriting.com/cart/products/Jim_s_Multi_DVD_Set_Pre_order-28-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">DVD SET</span></a></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: small;">If you order by December 17 and let us know it's a gift, we will send a card-stock certificate/announcement that describes the DVD (on its way soon) and the free Online Scene Writing Class. If you order T-Word Theme or Killer Endings, there is a good chance they will arrive by December 23. Discount Code <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>FINALLY </b></span>will give you the current best deal.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>GIFT CERTIFICATES</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If
you want to give loved ones or family members a little hint about your
Holiday Wish-List, send them here. Let them know if
you're interested in the DVD Set or Story Analysis Services. They can
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="mailto:jim@jamespxxxremovexxxmercurio.com">email me</a></span> and we can arrange for digital or
hard-copy gift certificates. </span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Story analysis services will go through www.jamespmercurio.com and the DVDs through www.a-listscreenwriting.com with Paypal, Credit Card or Invoice.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> If you have any questions or need to discuss how </span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">to keep a gift secret, <a href="mailto:jim@jamespXXXREMOVEXXXmercurio.com" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">let me know</a>.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-21683129552144978572012-10-04T02:10:00.001-07:002012-11-27T03:38:34.731-08:00THE WORST SET OF NOTES EVER<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Because even if it never happened, it’s still true.<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It goes something like this…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chayefsky was in a meeting with a young development exec who
was giving him notes on his script. He raised a concern with something near the
end, on, say, page 83 and Chayefsky, as the yarn unwinds, listened, nodded and agreed.
Chayefsky assured him that he knew how to fix it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, what follows is a curious ellipsis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Chayefsky was being helpful in
explaining himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the exec had
to flex his power and pushed for the solution. Maybe Chayefsky was actively
getting under the “kid’s” skin. I am not sure what motivates the next action
but somehow or another…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The legendary playwright/screenwriter proceeds to describe
his plan for fixing the ending: he will rewrite page 23. The “suit”
interrupts and reminds him that the issue was page 83. Chayefsky nods
and confirms that he will take care of it… by tweaking page 23. The “Who’s on
first?” sort of confusion continues and then you can
assume your own “shaggy dog” ending.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The moral of the story could be a vague lesson about the
absurdity of the development process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be the irony of a young kid telling an old school master how to
do his job. To me, it illustrates that the identification and description of a
problem often have nothing to do with how to solve it. And the two skills – to
identify a story or craft problem and to be able to lead writer to a solution
-- may be unrelated. This might seem like a trivial observation but the stakes
are huge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A client recently shared notes he received from a coverage
service. The reader had some sense of the script problems and pointed them out.
That’s their job, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I probably agreed
with 80% or so of the 200ish comments. However, this set of notes may have been
the worst I have ever seen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the reader wasn’t an idiot or wrong, what made the notes
so bad?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://jamespmercurio.com/services.html" target="_blank">CHECK OUT MY STORY ANALYSIS SERVICES</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First of all, the tone of the criticism pushed it over the
edge for me. Mistaken for tough love, comments similar to “Pretty much all of
the dialogue is unusable or unacceptable,” are merely insulting and
discouraging. Beyond the nastiness, I also hated the way the reader,
ironically, gave the writer his money’s worth by achieving some predetermined and
bloated page count. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A valid comment like “Your dialogue is on the nose” would be
supported with dozens of examples from the script. How exactly does a writer
use this information to improve their script? If ten out of ten lines in a scene are “on the nose,” usually the solution isn’t beating your head against a
wall and asking yourself this series of finely-tuned questions<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
How do I take <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> line off the nose?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
How do I take <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> line off the nose?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
And <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> one? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
And <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> one?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If this were a magical formula to better dialogue, my scene
writing book would be done now and I would have trademarked this killer
paradigm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s
consider a typical list of problems with an amateur’s script:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Dialogue is on-the-nose</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Scenes have too little
conflict</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Turning points are wishy-washy</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Too much exposition</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Character goals are confusing</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Scenes go on too long</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Too much talk and
small talk</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Theme is unclear</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Too many extraneous
characters</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
- Characters sound similar</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This ubiquitous summary in coverage is acceptable as long
as each “topic” isn’t used to create a litany of redundant examples. The
“laundry list” approach overwhelms writers and can kill their creative process
and enthusiasm. These stakes can be brutal. I know writers who have abandoned a script for years or forever based on one person's opinion. The effectiveness of notes shouldn’t be measured by page count
but rather by how well they lead a writer to workable solutions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is an old adage -- Don’t look where you fell,
look where you slipped -- that can give us a fresh perspective. Almost every single instance of these 10 flaws in the
script is a symptom of the exact same thing. Instead of having a 200-point
checklist sitting next to your script, you simply have to ask a question or two
and commit to an answer. A writer could throw away the 15 pages of notes and
then jump into a rewrite that adheres to a principle or two and all but maybe a
few of the 200 comments would be taken care of.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the sake of surprise and audience retention, I will name
the principle, expand it and extract a few user-friendly corollaries in the
next issue of <i>Craft & Career</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we will continue to explore a simple and effective approach to the rewrite/development
process which follows this mystery principle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>THE REWRITE</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s look at a way to approach the rewrite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We would look at the protagonist’s introduction and simply
ask, “What is their essence?” What is the one dilemma that sums them up? We
can’t do anything else in the rewrite until we nail this. Often, characters in
early drafts have vague set ups. No big deal. It goes with the territory. But
our goal is to find the perfect scene: one that NAILS the character. Basically,
if there is anything in the character’s first scene that isn’t special, that
isn’t unique to him or her, it gets cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does this perfect scene, moment or line look like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opening “fake suicide” sequence in <i>Harold
and Maude</i> which is capped off when Harold’s mother asks him to be more “vivacious.”
In an early scene in <i>Dead Poets Society</i>, Neal appeases his strict father (my
buddy Kurtwood Smith from <i>Hard Scrambled</i>) who is forcing him to cut down on extra-curricular
activities with a throwaway line that works on the surface and at the deepest
level: “You know me, always taking on too much.” (Remember, he is the one who ultimately
kills himself.) And do you remember what the mother in the opening of <i>Superbad</i>
teases Seth about? If you consider the character, there is only one possible answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A hands-on technique to find the perfect line or action for
your opening scene is to mine later scenes. Three pages in to your first draft,
you don’t have a complete understanding of the character but by page 40, you might.
Search scenes 3, 4 and 5 for a great action or line and “ask your character” if
he or she is ready to say it earlier, like in scene 1. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://jamespmercurio.com/services.html" target="_blank"><b>MY APPROACH</b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Coaching, my client and I will wrestle with the
introduction to the protagonist and make sure we nail the character with
ridiculous specificity. The goal is to figure out the essence of the character
theoretically and to find a situation and visuals that express it in concrete
terms. Besides raising the writer’s expectations for character introductions,
the craft exercise makes it easier to find the core of the other
characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t go into a fifteen-page discussion of character
orchestration and cast design here (I will in <a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.com/cart/products/7_Day_Champion_Screenwriting_Retreat_New_Orleans_Louisiana-34-1.html" target="_blank">New Orleans</a>) but the
succinct dilemma of the protagonist clarifies the essence of the supporting
characters. They will be variations/foils/permutations/shadows of the
protagonist. The different facets of the protagonist define the characteristics
of the cast and vice versa.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
Once you know your protagonist and
other characters better, every scene has better and escalating conflict. You
have better insight into what the characters are meant to clash about. The
characters come in with stronger perspectives on that ONE THING. No small talk, no getting warmed up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
And like in a well-done time-travel movie, a ripple effect happens…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
If you improve a scene, then what follows pales in comparison. You have created the new challenge of escalating the conflict and
character in the next scene. The good news is that the energy you channel into earlier scenes gives you a better understanding of the characters, their relationships and
perspectives. So half of your work is already done. Making one scene better makes the next scene better and so on and so on. That's why this process lends itself to rewriting chronologically.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
If you think
about how dialogue and conflict work, essentially, your challenge is to have
one character get under the other character’s skin. The only way to create personal conflict is to know which buttons to push on a
character. That's why this work has to be done before you can improve your dialogue</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
In this old <a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.blogspot.com/2009/10/joker-is-in-details.html" target="_blank">blog</a>, I showed how
Heath Ledger as The Joker sniffed out the essence of a minor character and was able to antagonize him effectively. In a way, he may have reverse-engineered his speech to discover the cop's dilemma. But this can mimic your writing. Sometimes one line of good dialogue can lead to a better understanding of character. I never approach notes or writing in the exact same way, but I want to emphasize the importance of understanding how character set up clarifies dialogue and vice versa.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CONCLUSION </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
You probably have figured out
what the overriding principle is from my discussion but I will go
into more depth with it in an upcoming Craft & Career and in my classes. If
you are a beginner, here is a concrete tip for your rewrite that you can use
now: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">Clarify and strengthen your
characters’ goals and their points-of-view in each scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 189.7pt;">
If you are an intermediate or
advanced writer and want to go through a process that will improve your
script(s) and show you many subtle and advanced craft principles, check out my
<a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html" target="_blank">services</a>.</div>
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I joke with some clients that I
make them pay upfront because I don’t want to scare them away. I sometimes have
my Paddy Chayefsky teaching moment. A writer knows their <u>dialogue </u>needs work
and they want to “attack” it. I tell them that most likely the
<u>dialogue </u>suffers because of the <u>structure</u>. They take a leap of faith, nod and
say, “Okay, let’s work on <u>structure</u>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then I saw, we will… by working on <u>character</u>.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Who's on first?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>I don't know.</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Third base.</b></span></div>
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I don’t think I can build a
marketing campaign for my story analysis services around this tagline: “We will
fix your dialogue by focusing on seemingly unrelated issues.” But I promise to
not overwhelm you with a laundry list of criticisms and leave you without a plan to
address them. </div>
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<br /></div>
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An awful set
of notes can be really discouraging. I hope you haven't received any but if you have, try to extract a couple of overriding
ideas and then throw the notes away. If you can’t figure out how
to attack the few valid issues, ask others for feedback that focuses solely on those few
areas. You can always use me as your story analyst services and we can even dissect the icky feedback. </div>
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No matter what don’t
let bad notes get you down. It's easy to make a great script look bad with a few pages of nit-picky notes. And a great set of notes can help you solve a hundred things at once. Don't give up looking for insight into your work but be willing to say"no" to feedback that doesn't work for you.</div>
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What’s cool about my coaching and
mentoring <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html" target="_blank">services </a>is that the process can follow an organic pace. I don’t have
to give you 200 notes on lines of dialogue that won’t even be in the next
draft. We can discuss areas in which you want to improve and we can look at the
big-picture for your rewrite and then get closer to the nitty-gritty in later
drafts.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sign up for coaching and you can
attend my next 3-4 day class or have a 75% discount on the New Orleans Retreat
that starts on Monday. Sign up for Mentoring this week and you can join us next
week for free.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">"My
brain grew three sizes in the Champion Lab. Jim is a film savant who
analyzes a script from multiple vantage points (writer, director, coach)
which results in an avalanche of insight. I'm now coaching with him and
his other-worldly abilities are making a huge difference in my work."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">--L.H.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">2012 PAGE Semi-finalist, 2011 Winner, Just Effin Entertain Me---Sci-Fi</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html" target="_blank">STORY ANALYSIS SERVICES AT JAMESPMERCURIO.COM </a></div>
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Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-9244450230401386162012-09-18T15:20:00.005-07:002012-09-18T15:22:11.962-07:00LET'S MAKE A DEAL & A FEW QUICK MESSAGES<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">FEW UPDATES</span></b></span></div>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">C<b>RAFT</b> <b>ARTICLE COMING</b></span></b></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I promised to put up my quick craft article soon. Stay tuned. It started out as a way to support a client who got a nasty set of notes from another reader, but it became partially a small pitch into how I approach things as a <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html">consultant</a>. However, if you have EVER received bad, mean or discouraging notes, you will definitely dig it. </span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<br />TAOS MOVED TO NEW ORLEANS</h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Our week-long retreat is definitely on but it's going to be in <a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.com/cart/products/7_Day_Champion_Screenwriting_Retreat_New_Orleans_Louisiana-34-1.html">New Orleans </a>instead. I dropped the price and there are some discounts and deadline incentives. Also, get in touch if you are interested in a no-frills version where your script gets less attention.</span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">CREATIVITY IN DEAL MAKING: PART DEUX</span></h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<span style="color: purple;"><<Cutting to the chase. The economy sucks. This business is tough. I
just found 3000 hours to direct a movie over the past 18 months for a
salary less than I charge for Script Coaching, so I get it. ;-)</span>>><br />
<br />
<br />
I wrote that last year as part of a post that invited writers to get creative in proposing barter or other swaps which would allow us to work together. It was productive. I got a Telecaster that I gave to my step-son, mini-vacation in a time-share, gift card to Zingermann's in Ann Arbor and I came up with some creative payment plans for a few people.<br />
<br />
The economy still sucks and as long as I have room in my classes, I have no problem with being Monty Hall and I can even explain the <i>Monty Hall problem</i> in class, if you want. Let's make a deal.<br />
<br />
I re-canvassed parents, step-kids, wife and dog to
come up with an official list of acceptable barter. Remember, I don't judge. Employee discount, Regifting, Non-rounded off balances... It's all good.<br />
<br />
Gift Cards: Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Delis (Canters, Juniors, Jerrys, Katz's), Lowes/Home Depot (up to a point...let's not create more
work), Chipotle, Kohls, Airline Travel, Apple Store,
Verizon, Petsmart, Steak Houses, Melting Pot, Massage Envy<br />
<br />
Other: <u>Frequent Flyer Miles, Airfare vouchers, </u>
Time Shares (Paris, Italy, Vegas, London, and planning on class in New Zealand or Australia), NFL tix (Steelers, Eagles or Redskins...does Stub Hub have gift cards?), Hosted Travel in Italy for parents, WSOP staking ;-), Be Creative!<br />
<br />
Services: SEO, Final Cut Pro Editing, design and am open to other ideas including three-way swaps. (Ted gives Fred Accounting Help, Fred gives Jim double-barter on whatever, Fred and Ted both get long-term script coaching.) Marketing, E-Commerce, etc...<br />
<br />
Let's Make a Deal!<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
Jim<br />
Email address is Jim (at) (Remove this sentence.)jamespmercurio(dot)com Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-53843142947354498072012-05-13T14:17:00.002-07:002012-05-13T14:20:17.937-07:00FORESHADOWING...TAOS RETREAT IN OCTOBER<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="271" id="il_fi" src="http://www.kosharehistory.org/visitors/images/taosNM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Only room for eight students.</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://bestfreewallpapers.info/60%20Famous%20Places%20HQ%20Wallpapers%20%5B1600%20x%201200%5D/Taos%20Pueblo,%20Taos,%20New%20Mexico.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Netflix sponsors movie night...choose from 140 separate private theaters.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAJszeu_9UVwnbPqbt4yVUDA4Ofn0VzKefErBowKOyHNxkrJVxH1TM_Rtskrri09p0pC9pfWCfVBKSTbgdfdWc05nNo5vu0dA9kMjb7bs3ZTh-9MX6wa7hyphenhyphenh_H-P3rvykHekDzw_Xhoo/s320/2011-05-12+102+%255B1600x1200%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>How fast do I talk? Day two, she is already skipping class to clear her head</b></span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDDr__H_so_bCUyA2jZn26iUciD7X-eoVjKQP18gVn-3C6zm-ElUkKJ_5u8RTOycJaJmbparT_H9o1x2yMopXkwstZNGbyA6kx_46_qTz9Rt3KVGY9docRHWY9lfGQm1ctKRjgntLl4E/s320/DSCF3390+%255B1600x1200%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This writing team has already signed up and are reworking their act two? Should I charge them for one seat or two? I know, I know, baaaaahd joke.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-90460501634495097392012-03-29T11:06:00.000-07:002012-03-29T11:06:37.667-07:00Sean Kanan Friends<div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> JIM AND SEAN ON THE SET </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>WHILE FILMING MARCH</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicr6CNzxNflyk6UWsXLH2UgJlaPhpKz60SZyW_4YRMo65mBeP1a3d3JAT27sZpKy40DdzchlO-YYA2Dz4CZ_t9ze7bNp5fqCQiVMuVW_klJxljXvQKJ_k_OuWTtu6p0ESZ_qnO916XuY/s1600/jimseanpic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicr6CNzxNflyk6UWsXLH2UgJlaPhpKz60SZyW_4YRMo65mBeP1a3d3JAT27sZpKy40DdzchlO-YYA2Dz4CZ_t9ze7bNp5fqCQiVMuVW_klJxljXvQKJ_k_OuWTtu6p0ESZ_qnO916XuY/s320/jimseanpic.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photograph by Sean's Mom</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Michele Perelman</span></div><br />
Thanks for visiting my site. You can go directly to my <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html">services</a> pages or check out some of my free newsletters below. Mention Sean when you order and you can receive a 10% discount from my Professional or Comprehensive Analyses or $100 discount from Coaching or Mentoring. If you sign up for Coaching or Mentoring, you can attend a<a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.com/cart/catalog/Screenwriting_Classes_and_Workshops-1-1.html"> four-day class in Sarasota</a> in April.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Save $50 with the discount code "SEAN" when you</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.com/cart/catalog/DVDs-2-1.html">preorder </a>my new 10-hour multi-DVD set. Here's the trailer. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/v0Tp5Tkec24?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.com/cart/catalog/DVDs-2-1.html">PREORDER TODAY! </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Offer good for one week Only!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:jim@jamespmercurioXX.com">Email me</a> with any questions. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Remove the XX from the email address)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-91514437023406654082011-12-27T08:16:00.000-08:002012-01-18T19:43:38.147-08:00Current Deals Through January 2012 - Discounts for Champion EntrantsDear Writers,<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
I will be reading 100 quarter-finalist scripts for the Champion Competition in January, so if you sign up now and can wait a few weeks, here are some current deals.<br />
<br />
All Entrants to the 2011 Champion Screenwriting Competition can have a 5% discount on my Professional or Comprehensive Analysis <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html">Services</a>. Quarterfinalists can have 10% discount since I will be reading their script anyway.<br />
<br />
Also, I will be offering any extra seats in the <a href="http://championscreenwriting.com/championlab.html">Champion Lab</a> to quarterfinalists and entrants as soon as I announce the dates. There will be a huge discount for those who know they want to attend and sign up immediately after the announcement.<br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: blue;">For All Potential Coaching and Mentoring Clients</span></u><br />
<br />
Sign up for Coaching or Mentoring and you can attend the Champion Lab or the Ellen Sandler TV lab that will probably be in February. (2011 Champion Entrants who sign up for coaching or mentoring will receive a $100 travel reimbursement/stipend if they attend.)<br />
<br />
Or you can receive one of the first produced copies of my multi-disc Screenwriting DVD set I am finishing up. It will have 6-10 DVDs, a minimum of 10 hours or material and a retail price between $259-$399.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><u>========</u></span></div><br />
<a href="http://championscreenwriting.com/developmentservices.html">Champion Development Notes</a> are always available. Just email us at info@champ...iting.com. Fill in the blanks (ionscreenwr).<br />
<br />
Visit my <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/">site </a>or email <a href="mailto:jim@jamespmercurio.com">me </a>with any questions.<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
Jim MercurioJim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-50486732242822203442011-11-11T06:01:00.000-08:002011-12-28T12:35:41.129-08:00Notes on Shorts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Notes on Shorts</span></b></div><br />
A Champion entrant asked me about a notes service on shorts. We didn't have one, but I made one up. Here are the details.<br />
<br />
A PAGE OR SO OF NOTES FROM MY DEDICATED CHAMPION SHORTS READER <br />
Six pages or less: $65<br />
Fifteen pages or less: $80 <br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Email me at info@champio---eenwriting.com. Paypal is Jim@a-lists---enwriting.com</span><br />
<br />
NOTES FROM ME FOR 15 PAGES OR LESS<br />
Comprehensive Shorts Analysis: $200<br />
Professional Shorts Analysis: $400<br />
Take a 5% discount if you were a 2011 Champion Entrant, take another 5% if script is less than seven pages. Discounts are cumulative.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #660000;">Q: OMG! Why are the prices 30% of what a feature costs when the page count is only one-tenth?</div><div style="color: #660000;"> </div><div style="color: #660000;">A: The set up for the notes, the discussion of style and story takes just as long for shorts. I gave 12 pages of notes on the last 3-page script I read. I would imagine these notes would be in the range of three to ten pages.</div><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Contact me through my consulting site: www.jamespmercurio.com. Paypal is Jim@jamespm---urio.com</span><br />
<br />
</div>Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-90707869512308873652011-10-11T18:50:00.000-07:002011-10-22T19:03:40.888-07:00Deals for ISA Folks and a New Testimonial! Good till end of Month!Thanks for checking out my <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/" style="color: #134f5c;">site </a>and blog. Mention ISA or my Consultant Blast and sign up this month and you can take advantage of <u style="color: #134f5c;">one </u>of the deals below. And check out the testimonial from one of my most recent clients.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: blue;">FOR COACHING AND MENTORING CLIENTS</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span> </div><br />
1) Free seat in one of the Champion Labs or Ellen Sandler's TV Lab near the end of the year... probably January. <br />
2) One of the first produced copies of the Screenwriting DVD set I am working on. 4-8 DVDS, 10-20 hours...don't know the exact details yet but the retail value will be $2-400<br />
<br />
<br />
(If we are starting with a completed script, first round of notes will be in early November and December, respectively for first two sign ups.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;">FOR PROFESSIONAL OR COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSES</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1) Free copy of Killer Endings or Theme. (Professional = both) ($50/$100 value)</div></div>2) 10% AFM Discount. Save me some time...let's do a lunch or coffee meeting at AFM as a way to save 3-4 pages of notes. You will still get 8-14 pages of notes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;">COVERAGES </span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I am not going to be able to fit in any more coverages this year, but you can sign up for <a href="http://championscreenwriting.com/developmentservices.html" style="color: #134f5c;">Champion Development Notes</a> at my<span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/" style="color: #134f5c;">site</a>. You will receive approximately four pages of notes for $250 from one of my senior Champion readers.</div><div></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #660000; text-align: center;"><b>TESTIMONIAL FOR MY MENTORING/COACHING SERVICE</b></div></div><br />
<div style="color: #660000;"></div><div style="color: #660000;"></div><div style="color: #660000;">"After working with Jim for a brief time, the one word that pops into my head is - "WOW!" I've worked with and spoken to many of the top script consultants in LA, but Jim is truly the BEST OF THE BEST! </div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">This is how I would like compare Jim to the other top notch script consultants in LA:</div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">The Normal Script Consultant Approach - Find everything wrong with your script, then tell you everything that you MUST take out because it just won't work... period.. Any solutions? Nope... but you can always work on it more, then pay me for another service. </div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">Jim's Approach - Find everything that isn't currently working (in a non-criticizing, non-judgmental way) then use creativity, originality, and knowledge to try to find a way to solve the problem and make it work. If a scene, subplot, etc. just isn't working, Jim will offer a solution. </div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">Bottom line, Jim evaluates screenplays from an entirely different approach than all the rest. He's the Master when it comes to character development and using the "Sequences Approach" to properly structure a screenplay. Jim is also funny and extremely easy to talk to. My only regret - I wish I would've found Jim 5 years ago when I started screenwriting. It would've saved me a lot of money and a lot of time."</div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div><div style="color: #660000; text-align: center;"> Kevin Lehr</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>-------------------</b></div><div style="color: black; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: black; text-align: left;">Let<span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><a href="mailto:jim@james%28delete%20this%29pmercurio.com" style="color: #134f5c;">me</a> know if you have any questions.</div><div style="color: black; text-align: left;">Peace,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Jim Mercurio</span></div></div>Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-55383192889317034142011-07-23T09:03:00.000-07:002011-07-23T09:03:48.044-07:00Script Coaching BonusesTwenty months later, I just finished working on the feature I was directing. So I have space for a few more clients. If you want to take two scripts all the way and get a master class in screenwriting during the process, sign up for script coaching. And there are a few cool extras I can throw in to the next for clients who jump aboard this offer.<br />
<br />
Here's my schedule for Coaching:<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">One to start in August.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">One to start with concept/treatment in August or script in September.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Another one to start with concept/treatment in Septmber or script in October.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">One to start in October. or later.</span><br />
<br />
For the next four clients, sign up this month for and you will receive one of the following:<br />
<br />
1) Free seat in one of the Champion Labs or Ellen Sandler's TV Lab near the end of the year.<br />
2) One of the first produced copies of the Screenwriting DVD set I am working on. 4-8 DVDS, 10-20 hours...don't know the exact details yet but the retail value will be $2-400<br />
3) $100 Discount (toward travel) and $250 credit toward any classess I do. Am working on a weeklong workshop in Taos.<br />
4) $150 Discount (toward travel), two tickets and invitation to some festivities at one of the upcoming film festivals I will be attending. Might have to sign NDA from producer.<br />
<br />
Also am really open to bartering for Frequent Flyer Miles or Travel Vouchers - Am going to be going to a lot of fests this year.<br />
<br />
Check out <a href="http://jamespmercurio.com/services.html">coaching</a> and let me know if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
Jim<br />
jim (at sign) jamespmercurio.comJim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-91360032054787515932011-04-21T22:00:00.000-07:002011-07-23T08:49:46.079-07:00CREATIVITY IN DEAL MAKINGCutting to the chase. The economy sucks. This business is tough. I just found 3000 hours to direct a movie over the past 18 months for a salary less than I charge for Script Coaching, so I get it. ;-)<br />
<br />
I have been willing to offer payment plans for clients and even accepted a Guitar Center Gift card as barter. <strike> But I still need $500 Gift card for the American Telecaster. Mostly kidding.</strike><br />
<br />
With this idea in mind, I canvassed parents, step-kids, wife and dog to come up with an official list of acceptable barter. And, you know what, I don't judge. Employee discount, Regifting...I am not going to hold that against you.<br />
<br />
Gift Cards: <strike>Guitar Center ($600ish max),</strike> (made deal for Telecaster) Best Buy, National Sporting Goods Chains (sadly, no limit), Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Zingermann's (And Canters, Juniors and Jerrys, I guess, too), Lowes/Home Depot (300 max...let's not create more work), Chipotle (maybe 100 max), Kohls, Airline Travel, Apple Store, Verizon<br />
<br />
Other: <u>Frequent Flyer Miles, Airfare vouchers (A dozen or so film festivals on the horizon),</u> Time Shares, Place to Stay in Paris for two (teenager whines about France=Stay with stepmom for two weeks), In London for Four, Steelers Tickets, Eagles Tickets (Shh, don't tell my wife), Pokerstars $$ (when it's legal again, LOL), Planned Travel Situation for Italy for the 'rents<br />
<br />
Services: SEO, Final Cut Pro training for a friend, possibly design and am open to other ideas.<br />
<br />
From my dog: Petsmart Gift Cards as well as gift cards to Mortons, Ruth's Chris and Cheesecake Factory.<br />
<br />
Okay, the last one was from me.<br />
<br />
Contact me at your own risk. <br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
<a href="mailto:jim@jamespmercurio.com">Jim</a><br />
The man who says yes to too many thingsJim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-24730722446198236002011-03-26T19:44:00.000-07:002011-04-21T22:04:23.702-07:00Experimental YouTube/Facebook Online Scene ClassCheap, Fast and Good!<br />
<br />
Sign up for my online scene class and you can apply the entire $39.99 toward my Pro or Comp Analysis within 30 days. Or just take the class. Send a short scene in by Monday and then watch some Youtube clips and read the feedback whenever you can.<br />
<br />
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs040/1102444973224/archive/1105248988186.html<br />
See the above <a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs040/1102444973224/archive/1105248988186.html">link</a> for all of the details.<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
JimJim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-21508259223810068662011-03-04T14:21:00.000-08:002011-04-21T22:06:13.930-07:00Scene Writing Analysis - Temporary ServiceI got a two-month extension on the scene writing book and because of copyright issues, I am going to have to use scenes from unknown writers, so not only am I offering a service for below my hourly rate, I may be checking to see if some of you want to have your scene(s) included in the book for a modest licensing fee. It would be completely optional.<br />
<br />
Since I am in the scene-writing zone, I am offering a 10-page analysis of the scene writing craft in your script. I will focus pretty intensely on as many scenes as I can and then summarize the areas and principles on which you should focus. <br />
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This will help intermediate and advanced writers hone their craft with micro-level analysis that is special in two ways: no one else offers this sort of feedback and I am exceptionally good at it.<br />
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My background as a filmmaker is part of the reason I am suited for this sort of criticism. I have watched the same scene performed 400 times in one week during auditions. I have wrestled with a scene for a month as a filmmaker. I have rebuilt sets from scratch a year later to pick up the one thing we missed from the original scene. I have my Malcom Gladwell 10,000-hour Certification on scene writing. ;-)<br />
<br />
I did an extensive analysis of a scene <a href="http://a-listscreenwriting.blogspot.com/2010/02/scene-and-dialogue-analysis-from-reader.html">here</a> but this was from a novice writer's very first script. I think this service is more suited to intermediate and advanced writers who have written a few scripts and want to find a new way accelerate their craft.<br />
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Use the same Paypal address at<a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/"> jamespmercurio.com</a> (jim@) and send script in FD or a form where I can put notes in the document itself and make cuts and changes for the sake of rhetoric. Actually, PDFs work well. The rate is $500.<br />
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Topics: subtext, subtexting (my word), getting in late and out early, blocking, action description, beats, the event, importance, moment before, what am I fighting for?, theme tweaks/reframes, props, motifs, role-playing, use of setting, exploitation of concept, humor, making the movie castable and a zillion other things...<br />
<br />
SIGN UP BEFORE APRIL 25 AND GET FREE SCENE WRITING CLASS TOO! See below or above.Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-86554943181240890062011-02-10T13:02:00.000-08:002011-02-10T13:02:22.509-08:00Valentine's Day Special - 10% Discount on Love Stories10% discount on <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/">Coverage or Comprehensive Analysis</a> for all love stories if you sign up between now and Valentine's Day! Subplot, Friendship, Rom-Com, Revenge-against-the-ex....I am flexible...if you say there is a love story in there somewhere, I will believe you.Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-12759308022304867012011-01-08T15:39:00.000-08:002011-01-18T20:30:24.856-08:00Friends of Sean Kanan PromotionHey,Thanks for checking out the site. Mention where you saw the promotion and you can have a 10% discount on any of the following <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html">services </a>at my site: Coverage, Professional Analysis, Comprehensive Analysis, Coaching. The first two who sign up for Coaching will also get a free seat in the next Champion Lab where, schedule permitting, Sean will be reading with us again.<br />
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If you are willing to get an audio version of the notes (not coaching) instead, you can have a 15% discount. <br />
<br />
Click the "Story Analysis" link to the right or click <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/">here</a>. The offer is good till the end of the month. You can book the deal now and then send me the script when you are ready.<br />
<br />
Here is a photo of me and Sean on the set of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXLWqqQSLn0&has_verified=1"><i>March</i></a>. I directed, he produced and was the star, and our high school friend Dean wrote it. And Sean's mother took the photo!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPGxF1b1daE3U41UEoowrKeifj04GgfrhwZVVtqO8cu8Mn1a8wb4FnyqqoBJFIPGJ5uJmcMMrU_BxBo5KFKfLUSLj3JezX8ntVYg2DKnfzSkdcO4uPNvqY7BC4nDsFN3Fw0eQoQK0sNg/s1600/jimseanpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPGxF1b1daE3U41UEoowrKeifj04GgfrhwZVVtqO8cu8Mn1a8wb4FnyqqoBJFIPGJ5uJmcMMrU_BxBo5KFKfLUSLj3JezX8ntVYg2DKnfzSkdcO4uPNvqY7BC4nDsFN3Fw0eQoQK0sNg/s320/jimseanpic.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://jamespmercurio.com/contact.html">Email </a>me with any questions. Thanks for your support of Sean!Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-61592761689140115812011-01-04T05:41:00.000-08:002011-01-04T05:41:05.022-08:00Consulting - Monthly PaymentsThis has come up a few times in the past year. I know the economy has been brutal lately. For<a href="http://jamespmercurio.com/services.html"> Professional Analysis, Coaching and Mentoring</a>, I am open to discussing making installments. My coaching clients and I jump into the trenches together for months to improve their script. It's a big commitment from me and you, so I want to make it a bit easier.<br />
<br />
Check out the link in the post below to a testimonial from a current coaching client.Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-83823457341865226132011-01-04T05:31:00.000-08:002011-01-04T05:31:57.813-08:00Testimonials From 2010 Champion LabCool <a href="http://championscreenwriting.blogspot.com/2011/01/testimonials-from-2010-champion-lab.html">testimonials</a> from my Champion Lab and check out the kinds words from Coaching client Mark Reinisch about the work we did on the lab and his high-concept comedy.Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-15223870515686443612010-11-13T23:54:00.000-08:002010-11-22T05:43:45.756-08:0020% Discount for Champion Quarterfinalists2010 Champion Screenwriting Quarterfinalists receive a 20% discount on any of these <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html">services</a>: Coverage, Professional Analysis, Comprehensive Analysis or Script Coaching on their Quarterfinalist script.<br />
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All entrants in the contest receive a 10% discount on any of the above services on any of their features.<br />
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This offer is only good until either I receive ten scripts from entrants or the end of the year. I expect that it will be closed by early December.<br />
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My coverage service, with this discount, is one of the best deals I offer. These will be the only 10 scripts I read in the next year as a consultant for this price. Quarterfinalists receive an additional benefit: my affiliation with the contest allows me to incorporate ideas/comments from other readers and judges.<br />
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<a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/contact.html">Email</a> me if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
JimJim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-57449460943422469662010-11-03T13:18:00.000-07:002010-11-03T13:18:15.321-07:00FREE CLASS FOR COACHING AND MENTORING CLIENTSSign up for <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/services.html">Coaching or Mentoring</a> this month and you can come to your choice of <a href="http://championscreenwriting.blogspot.com/2010/10/sign-up-for-classes-now.html">classes</a> in Los Angeles next month.<br />
<br />
Don't compare the Mentoring service to "a set of notes" -- compare it to like a year in the UCLA Professional Program. You will have 30-40 hours in class with me, several hours working on your individual scenes and then up to 40 hours of one-on-one time with your script via phone, Skype, email, written notes and in-person. We will also spend time analyzing similar movies and discussing the market for your work. This is like a private class spread out over six months or a year.<br />
<br />
I know it's a big step, so <a href="http://www.jamespmercurio.com/contact.html">email</a> me with questions or to set up a quick pressure-free phone call.Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824437870885953073.post-41889180107205918412010-11-03T12:48:00.000-07:002010-11-03T12:48:54.704-07:00Jim Mercurio signs book deal for "The Craft of Scene Writing"<span class="UIStory_Message">I just signed deal with Quill Driver (parent company is Linden Publishing) for <em>The Craft of Scene Writing: 14 Steps to a Better Screenplay</em>. I believe this is the first book on scene writing craft for screenwriters and will be a much-needed complement to all the books that focus on structure paradigms. I will be offering a related service -- one that focuses on only scenes -- as part of my immersion into the book next month. Special thanks to my agent Jessica Faust and to Erik Bauer who dragged me into this niche back in the day and who has helped me stay sane by making two of my last four movies with me.</span>Jim Mercuriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14240469503105070666noreply@blogger.com1